Clause Unit: Definitions

Clause: a group of related words that has both a subject and a verb. Every sentence has a clause; it just depends on how many.


Main clause: contains the main subject and the main verb, (the main idea of the sentence). A main clause does not depend on another clause for context or meaning. There can be MORE and ONE main clause in a sentence.


Subordinate or dependent clause: depends on another clause for context o r grammatical function. Typically these clauses act like a noun --DO, adjective, or adverb.


Relative Pronouns: relate to another noun preceding it in the sentence. In doing so, they connect a dependent clause to an antecedent (noun referred to by the pronoun). Relative pronouns are the subject or object of the dependent clause they are in.

That who whomever
What whoever whose
Which whom


Conjunctions: connect clauses together. There are three types of conjunctions; each signaling which type of clause follows.


Coordinating conjunctions; for, and, nor, but, or, yet, [so, while]



Correlating conjunctions:
Both----and, either----or, neither----nor
Not only-----but also whether-----or



Subordinating conjunctions:
After because in case (that) though
Although before in order that unless
As even if rather than until
As far as even though once when (ever)
As soon as how since where (as, ever)
As long as if than whether
As if if only that while
As though in as much as till why